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☆ The Senate just passed a bill to block student-loan forgiveness and immediately end the payment pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Senate just passed a bill to overturn student-debt relief and end the payment pause. On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill — first introduced in March — to overturn Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers making under $125,000 a year by a vote of 52-46. Chuck Grassley and Bill Cassidy — sponsors of the bill — wrote an opinion piece in Fox News urging their colleagues in the Senate to pass the legislation to overturn student-loan forgiveness. Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on Twitter that "the Senate GOP is pushing a terrible measure to end the pause on student loan payments and overturn @POTUS's student loan cancellation program. But to overturn his landmark student debt relief program just to score political points?

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden's, Democratic Sens, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, Independent Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy —, Chuck Schumer, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, New Jersey Democratic Sen, Bob Menendez Organizations: Service, Democratic, Independent, Republicans, GOP, Fox News, Senate, Twitter, House Republicans, New, New Jersey Democratic Locations: Massachusetts, New Jersey

☆ Analysis: US debt-ceiling deal dooms Biden's revolutionary tax plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Barring an unlikely Democratic sweep of the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2024, major changes to the U.S. tax code are now seen as largely off the table until the end of 2025, when the 2017 individual tax cuts expire. TAX CHANGES ARE TOUGHBiden's unrealized campaign tax pledges illustrate the political difficulty of changing the U.S. tax code, barring a commanding majority in Congress. "House Republicans have successfully blocked every penny of President Biden’s tax hikes on families, farmers, and small businesses in the debt ceiling deal and protected the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from repeal," said U.S. House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith. The Missouri Republican added that Americans want Congress to build on the Trump tax cuts "with more tax relief." Republicans will argue for making the 2017 individual tax cuts permanent, said John Gimigliano, KPMG's head of federal tax legislative and regulatory services.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Biden, That's, William McBride, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, Jason Smith, Michael Kikukawa, Kikukawa, John Gimigliano, Gimigliano, Steve Rosenthal, Rosenthal, David Lawder, Heather Timmons, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Saturday, Revenue Service, Trump, White, Tax Foundation, Democratic, Republican, Republicans, IRS, House, The, The Missouri Republican, Economic Co, Congressional, Brookings Tax, Center, Thomson Locations: Washington, The Missouri

☆ Top Democrats say Biden should make this year’s ‘craziness’ the last debt limit fight ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Given the current math in the chamber, every senator in the Democratic Caucus would need to support such a change. The president’s focus, Kikukawa said, remains preventing default, and “other options are a question for another day.”Originally Boyle backed eliminating the debt limit entirely. She and Jeffries both pointed out that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had in 2011 supported a backdoor solution to that debt limit fight, which would have given then-President Barack Obama power to raise it on his own just that one time. Several swing district Democrats, though, told CNN that they were wary of supporting a change, calling the debt limit authority an important check on the presidency and on spending, despite their opposition to how it was used this time. This has been such a torturous experience for my Democratic colleagues that I hope they will not forget,” Boyle said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, couldn’t, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Brendan Boyle –, Hakeem Jeffries, Pramila Jayapal, Nancy Pelosi, –, Boyle, “, ” Boyle, Biden, wasn’t, Michael Kikukawa, Kikukawa, ”, MAGA, ” Jeffries, he’s, ‘, ’ ” Warren, “ It’s, Warren, ” Warren, Steve Ricchetti, Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, Barack Obama, ” Pelosi, ” Jayapal, Hawaii Sen, Brian Schatz, ’ ” Schatz, who’ve Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Democratic Caucus, West, Pennsylvania, White, Treasury Department, Senate, Congressional Progressive Caucus, SNAP, Democratic Locations: West Virginia, Arizona, Massachusetts, United States, Hawaii

☆ Student loan forgiveness: Senate passes bill to block Biden's program
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Meanwhile, borrowers are still awaiting a Supreme Court decision, which will determine whether the student loan forgiveness program can take effect. In February, the Supreme Court heard two legal challenges to Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. Biden’s other student debt policiesBiden has extended the pause on federal student loan payments several times. The Biden administration has tied the restart date to the litigation over the separate student loan forgiveness program. New rules set to take effect in July could broaden eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which is aimed at helping government and nonprofit workers.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Democratic Sens, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, Montana, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten, Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Biden Organizations: Washington CNN —, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Maine, Washington Rep, Congressional, Office, Republican, Job, Network Foundation, Public, of Education Locations: West Virginia, Arizona, Texas

☆ Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he will vote with Republicans to overturn Biden's student-debt relief plans, saying it 'forces hard-working taxpayers who already paid off their loans' to 'shoulder th
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Following the procedural vote, Manchin released a statement of support for "overturning reckless student loan plan." Instead, we should be focusing on bipartisan student debt reforms that reduce the cost of higher education and help all Americans." "But make no mistake: voting for this CRA isn't just a vote against the President's student debt cancellation plan. And Schumer wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that "Senate Republicans talk a big game about helping working families. Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of the sponsors of the bill, wrote on Twitter that "Biden's so-called student debt "forgiveness plan" doesn't actually forgive or cancel the debt.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, —, Joe Biden's, — Kyrsten Sinema, John Tester, Manchin —, Biden, Manchin, Chuck Schumer, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Warren, It's, Schumer, Sen, Bill Cassidy, doesn't Organizations: Democratic, GOP, Service, Privacy, Republicans, Biden, Manchin, Massachusetts, Twitter

☆ Democratic Sen. Tom Carper says he won't seek re-election in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Summer Concepcion | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) speaks during a news conference after the first Democratic luncheon meeting since COVID-19 restrictions went into effect on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 13, 2021. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., announced Monday that he will not seek re-election next year after more than 20 years in the Senate. During his time in the Senate, Carper served as the chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and as a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. Delaware hasn't had a Republican hold statewide office since 2018, when long-time GOP auditor Tom Wagner declined to seek re-election. Dianne Feinstein of California and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan have announced their plans to not to seek re-election next year.

☆ Dem. congressman calls 'No Labels' presidential run by Sen. Joe Manchin in a race against Biden and Trump a 'historic disaster'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Democrats are nervous about a potential 'No Labels' presidential ticket, per The New York Times. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have been brought up as potential candidates, per the report. And the possibility of more moderate political figures like Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, or former Gov. "If No Labels runs a Joe Manchin against Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I think it will be a historic disaster," Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota told The Times. Individuals with ties to Manchin are doubtful that he might surface as a No Labels candidate, per The Times.

Ambassador and South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley has walked a long and windy road when it comes to her one-time boss, former President Donald Trump. DeSantis’ announcement nears: NBC News’ Dasha Burns reports that Florida Republican Gov. And the New York Times reports DeSantis has been telling donors that out of the three “credible” candidates for president (Trump, himself and President Biden), only he and Biden can win. Raising eyebrows: Virginia GOP Gov.

Biden highlighted his administration’s work to prevent gun violence in a weekend op-ed that called out Congress to do more on the issue. Plus, they want to invest early in Florida, hoping to prove the state isn’t truly off the map for Democrats. Thinking about it: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who has been weighing a run for president, told Politico he will decide before late June. Rick Perry didn’t rule out running for president again in an interview with CNN, and wouldn’t endorse Trump. Jim Justice’s office to obtain his official calendar, NBC News first reports.

☆ U.S. House passes Republican bill tightening border security
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved Republican legislation intended to stop immigrants and illegal drugs crossing the nation's southwestern border with Mexico, leaving it to the Senate to attempt a broader, bipartisan immigration bill. It also would resume construction of a wall along the border and expand federal law enforcement efforts. The House voted 219-213 to pass the bill, with no Democrats in favor and one Republican opposed. Officials at the southwestern border were seeing large influxes of immigrants in the final days of Title 42 expiration. House Republican leaders at the last minute had to modify provisions of their bill for the U.S. agriculture industry to comply with "E-Verify" requirements for confirming U.S. employment eligibility.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema, eyeing GOP voters, knocks 'both political parties' when asked about election deniers in Arizona
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2024, Sinema would likely need support from conservative voters who doubt the 2020 election. "Well, we're currently living in a climate where it's okay to say things that aren't true," Sinema said. "What I think we're facing in our country today is this situation where people don't know what's true and what's not true," said Sinema. Sinema again blamed "the two political parties" for becoming "more extreme." Lake says she's "seriously considering" a Senate campaign, and Sheriff Mark Lamb, already running in the GOP primary, has also cast doubt on the validity of the 2020 election.

☆ Mitch McConnell says he 'would love to have had' Kyrsten Sinema caucus with Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Despite leaving the Democratic Party, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says she'll never become a Republican. McConnell added that the "decision was made" when she decided to keep caucusing with Democrats. The Arizona senator, who left the Democratic Party to become an independent in December, nonetheless continues to informally caucus with her old colleagues, at least on paper. But in an interview with CNN published on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged that he would welcome Sinema to the Senate Republican conference — but that there's no active discussion of the idea. "I mean, I just, I'm laughing because I literally just spent time explaining how broken the two parties are," Sinema added.

☆ Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party last year, says she's 'absolutely' done with parties and won't join the GOP: 'You don't go from one broken party to another'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kyrsten Sinema told CBS News she's "absolutely" done with political parties and won't join the GOP. She left the Democratic Party last year and became an Independent before a potential reelection bid. "It's okay not to agree a hundred percent with another," the Arizona senator told Margaret Brennan. There was less willingness for individuals to have their own opinions to make their own decisions," Sinema told Brennan. I mean, I just, I'm laughing because I literally just spent time explaining how broken the two parties are," Sinema replied.

☆ 'High wire act': U.S. Congress gears up for immigration reform as Title 42 ends
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

It has been 37 years since Congress passed significant immigration reform, but a persistently high volume of migrants and an acute labor shortage have galvanized lawmakers. Republican Senator Thom Tillis said the end of Title 42 "sets the table" for Congress to craft new border-control laws as Republicans predict a wave of new arrivals. STARS ALIGNINGThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation's largest business association, has launched a campaign urging Congress to act. Republicans argue that is where the border security component comes in. Finally, passage of an immigration bill coupled with beefed-up border security could boost President Joe Biden's re-election campaign and give Republican candidates something to cheer too.

☆ Repulsed by Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump? Tough. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Gail Collins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

This conversation took place when the country was bearing down on the 2016 election, and Nader vowed not to vote for either Trump or Clinton. “They’re not alike,” he acknowledged, but added, “they’re both terrible.”Think that was the last time I ever consulted Ralph Nader. Well, a few days before the election the Green candidate — have I mentioned her name was Angela Green? As senator, Sinema became an, um, unreliable Democratic vote. Another senator who frequently drives Democratic leaders crazy is Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who hasn’t announced his own plans.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema’s Party of One
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Robert Draper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Katie Hobbs, who received almost 11 percent of the Republican vote in her 2022 victory over the far-right Kari Lake. Sinema, even before she left the party in December, had become the Democrat whom Democrats love to hate. In January 2022, after her refusal to pass voting rights legislation by discarding the Senate filibuster that stood in the way, Sinema was censured by Arizona’s Democratic Party. “The decision was really a no-brainer,” a former state party official told me, adding that the censure resolution was supported by more than 90 percent of Arizona’s Democratic precinct committee members. Hobbs, on the other hand, relied heavily on the turnout of a progressive base that might have reacted poorly to Sinema’s presence on the stump.

☆ The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Simone Pathe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

The GOP needs a net gain of one or two seats to flip the chamber, depending on which party wins the White House in 2024, and it’s Democrats who are defending the tougher seats. Jim Justice announcing his Senate bid in West Virginia – the seat most likely to flip party control in 2024. In a presidential year, the national environment is likely to loom large, especially with battleground states hosting key Senate races. Two businessmen with the ability to tap into or raise significant resources could be in the mix – Eric Hovde, who lost the GOP Senate nomination in 2012, and Scott Mayer. Still, unseating Cruz in a state Trump won by nearly 6 points in 2020 will be a tall order.

☆ These are the top Senate races to watch in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

They have reason to be hopeful: Democrats face a daunting 2024 Senate map that puts them on defense in 23 of the cycle's 34 races, including multiple seats considered ripe for GOP challenges. The grim outlook has some Senate Democrats considering retirement, even after the caucus expanded to a 51-49 majority following a better-than-expected showing in the midterms. Jim Justice, reportedly the state's richest man and one of its favored contenders for the Senate race. But the 2024 Senate race in Ohio is currently considered a toss-up, as Republicans have made significant gains in the state in the last two election cycles. Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report both say the Michigan Senate race leans Democratic.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin Fail to Attract Small Donors for Potential Re-Election Campaigns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Julie Bykowicz | Anthony Debarros | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin have mutual donors with ties to the group No Labels, which supports centrist politicians. Photo: Ash Ponders for The Wall Street Journal; Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/ZUMA PressWASHINGTON—Small donors have largely abandoned Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin as they have strayed from the Democratic Party, although they are attracting larger donors with ties to a centrist organization, new fundraising reports show. Ms. Sinema of Arizona and Mr. Manchin of West Virginia each raised less than 1% of their campaign money between Jan. 1 and March 31 from donors who gave $200 or less. Those are among the lowest percentages in the Senate—and well below their previous grassroots fundraising levels, Federal Election Commission filings show.

☆ Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego recently outraised Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in what could be the most unpredictable Senate race of 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego outraised Independent Kyrsten Sinema in the first quarter of 2023. Gallego's campaign reported raising $3.74 million, while Sinema raised $2.1 million, per the FEC. The Grand Canyon State could potentially boast the most competitive Senate race in the US next year. The outcome of a competitive three-way Arizona race could very well determine control of the Senate. And the race would also be held with the concurrent presidential election, which could feature a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

☆ U.S. judge blocks Biden clean water rule in 24 states
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 12 (Reuters) - A federal judge in North Dakota on Wednesday temporarily blocked implementation of a Biden administration rule establishing protections for seasonal streams and wetlands in 24 states, according to court documents. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland granted the states' request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency's Waters of the United States rule, which was finalized in December. In the order, Hovland said the states would "expend unrecoverable resources complying with a rule unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny." An EPA spokesperson said the agency is reviewing Wednesday’s ruling and called the Biden administration rule “the best interpretation” of the Clean Water Act. In Congress, Republicans led an effort to repeal the water rule last month, with limited support from across the aisle including four Senate Democrats and independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

☆ Battle over Biden labor nominee Julie Su heats up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Julie Su applauds while being nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden to serve as the Labor secretary during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 1, 2023. Crucial senators in Montana, West Virginia and Arizona, who voted for Su to become deputy Labor Secretary in 2021, are on the fence about her confirmation for the top job. The AFL-CIO will target Montana, West Virginia, Arizona and Maine, communicating support for Su to its members to get them to contact their state senators. A spokesperson for Maine's Republican Senator Susan Collins said she does not support Su's nomination. She voted no on Su's deputy secretary nomination in 2021, as did all Republicans.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema Is Preparing for a 2024 Re-Election Campaign as an Independent
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Eliza Collins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PHOENIX— Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema , the Democrat-turned-independent, is preparing for a re-election campaign, setting the stage for what could be an unpredictable three-way contest in the highly competitive state. Ms. Sinema and her team gathered in Phoenix earlier this week for a staff retreat, according to people familiar with the session. One meeting included a slideshow laying out a timeline of a potential run, according to slides reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. While Ms. Sinema hasn’t announced her plans, the materials reviewed by the Journal provide details on steps Ms. Sinema is taking to potentially run for re-election.

☆ Meet Harlan Crow, Clarence Thomas' vacation pal, GOP megadonor, and billionaire Texas real estate magnate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Texas real estate magnate Harlan Crow provided lavish vacations to Justice Clarence Thomas. Born in 1949 in Dallas, Texas, Crow is a 74-year-old real estate developer and the chairman of Crow Holdings, a Dallas-based real estate development and investment firm that was started by his father, Trammell Crow. Before his death in 2009, Trammell Crow was once one of the nation's most prominent real estate developers and landlords. What's his relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas? He also donated $105,000 to Thomas' alma mater, Yale Law School, for the "Justice Thomas Portrait Fund."

☆ AOC says 'a lot' of House Dems would cast 'disingenuous' yes votes for Medicare for All if it came to floor because they 'know that it's going to a graveyard' in the Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argued some Democrats don't sincerely support Medicare for All. She said the Senate's 60-vote filibuster lets them to rhetorically support it but not fight for it. She argued dismantling the filibuster is the "precursor" to passing progressive priorities. The most recent House version of the bill, introduced in 2021, garnered 123 co-sponsorships — more than half of the House Democratic Caucus at the time. Filibuster frustrationsThe filibuster stymied Democrats during the first two years of the Biden administration when they held slim majorities in both the House and Senate.

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